Nuttall Complex

Updates

TUCSON, AZ, CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST PRESS RELEASE (June 27, 2004, 3:00 p.m.) A lightning strike in Pinaleno Mountains (Mt. Graham) southwest of Safford sparked the Nuttall Fire yesterday afternoon (Saturday, June 26).
Safford, Arizona (June 28, 2004) A precautionary evacuation is in effect on the western portion of the mountain including Riggs Lake recreation area. The Swift Trail, State Route 366 has been closed at the base of the mountain.
Safford, Arizona (June 29, 2004) A precautionary evacuation remains in effect on the western portion of the mountain, from the Clark Peak Trailhead to Columbine Recreation Area, including Riggs Lake. The Swift Trail, State Route 366, has been closed at the base of the mountain. No structures are immediately threatened.
Safford, Arizona (June 30, 2004) Firefighters made good progress on the Nuttall Fire yesterday. Approximately 75% of indirect fire line construction is now complete. Crews will focus on strengthening the existing line and completing the remaining 25% today.
Safford, Arizona (July 1, 2004) Nuttall Fire Burnout Operations Continue Firefighters made good progress on the Nuttall Fire again yesterday. Construction of indirect fire line was completed allowing crews to begin burnout operations on the southwest portion of the fire between Carter Canyon and Clark Peak. If weather conditions permit, the burnout will continue today.
Safford, Arizona (July 2, 2004, 9:00 a.m.) The Southwest Area Incident Management Team assumed responsibility of the Gibson Fire this morning. The Gibson Fire, approximately 10 acres in size, was lightning-caused on June 22nd and has been monitored since that time. It is located in very steep and rugged terrain that is too hazardous for fire fighters to access, approximately six miles east of the Nuttall Fire.
Safford, Arizona (July 2, 2004, 6:00 p.m.) At approximately 1:45 pm today, ten firefighters deployed their fire shelters as fire activity increased on the Nuttall Fire Complex. No injuries were reported and all fire personnel are safe.
Safford, Arizona (July 2, 2004, 9:45 p.m.) Increased fire activity on the Gibson Fire, part of the Nuttall Fire Complex, forced the evacuation of Mount Graham International Observatory at approximately 5:00 pm today. The precautionary evacuation between Clark Peak Trail Head and Columbine remains in effect. No further evacuations occurred in the area.
Safford, Arizona (July 3, 2004, 9:15 a.m.) Yesterday, 11 (not ten as reported initially) firefighters deployed their fire shelters. No injuries occurred and all fire personnel involved with the deployment are safe. Fire personnel will be investigating the events leading up to the deployment.
Safford, Arizona (July 3, 2004, 5:00 p.m.) Yesterday, two Hotshot crews were working the southeastern flank of the Nuttall Fire when westerly winds and fire intensity increased. Concerned about their escape route, most of the crew members and a Group Supervisor went into an aspen grove located east and outside of the fire’s containment line. Some of the crew members plus two Helitack crew members, two EMT/Paramedics and four overhead personnel continued up the hill towards a helicopter landing site (H-4). One individual sustained heat related illness while hiking up the hill to the aspen grove.
Safford, Arizona (July 4, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Based on terrain, excessive fuels, and extreme fire activity on the Nuttall Fire Complex, fire personnel have adjusted their suppression strategy. They are now treating the Gibson and Nuttall Fires as one fire instead of two. Efforts today will focus on preparing State Road 366, commonly known as the Swift Trail, Forest Service Road 507, and adjacent ridges as the northern and eastern containment line.
Safford, Arizona (July 4, 2004, 5:00 p.m.) The Southwest Area Incident Management Team, in partnership with the Coronado National Forest, will conduct a Nuttall Fire Complex community meeting on Monday evening, July 5, 2004. The meeting will be held at the Ruth Powell School (Media Room) beginning at 6 PM.
Safford, Arizona (July 5, 2004, 10:00 a.m.) Yesterday, hotshot crews constructed a containment line north and east of the Mt. Graham International Observatory. In an effort to prepare the observatory for any potential flame front, structural protection efforts continue. Late in the day, bulldozers started widening the road around the Observatory. Air attack has been crucial in assisting firefighters by dropping retardant on Forest Service Road 507, which is adjacent to the Observatory.
Safford, Arizona (July 6, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Fire activity today in the Nuttall Fire Complex is expected to increase in the areas of Noon Creek, Frye Canyon , and Left-Hand Canyon.
Safford, Arizona (July 6, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Last night, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, in partnership with the Coronado National Forest held a Nuttall Fire Complex community meeting at the Ruth Powell School. More than 100 people attended and showed great interest in the fire and suppression activities.
Safford, Arizona (July 7, 2004, 9:30 a.m.) Yesterday, firefighters used an arsenal of tools to hold the fire to the north side of Graham Mountain Range despite intense fire activity, erratic winds, and dry weather conditions. Firefighters continued to build hand and dozer lines and conducted burnout operations along Forest Service Road 507.
Helicopters and airtankers helped crews on the ground with water drops and retardant. In an effort to slow the progress of the fire in Noon Creek, helicopters dropped ping-pong balls, which ignite on impact. According to Dan Oltrogge, Incident Commander for the Nuttall Fire Complex, “The firefighters worked in severe conditions yesterday and despite all the smoke and flames you could see from town, the crews still held the line and had a good day.”
Safford, Arizona (July 8, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Cloudy skies and higher relative humidity prevented two wildland fires from growing significantly Thursday on Mt. Graham southwest of Safford. Deputy Incident Commander, Paul Summerfelt, stated at briefing late Thursday, “We are not out of danger but threats to summer homes and to the Mt. Graham International Observatory have been significantly abated.” He said crews made good progress in holding and securing containment lines on Thursday. With weather predicted to be similar on Friday crews will continue burnout operations along unsecured portions of the fires’ perimeters.
Safford, Arizona (July 9, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano plans to visit the Nuttall Fire Complex today. The Governor will arrive at the Safford Airport around 3:45 p.m. and fire officials will take her on an aerial tour of the Nuttall Fire Complex. She will then attend a community meeting for Graham and Greenlee County residents in the evening, starting at 6 p.m.
Safford, Arizona (July 10, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Firefighter efforts and favorable weather conditions resulted in further reduced threats to homes and facilities on Mt. Graham yesterday. The Nuttall and Gibson Fires were linked together by burnout operations along containment lines near the Columbine summer homes and the Mt. Graham International Observatory.

Safford, Arizona (July 11, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) Beginning today, many of the fire resources will be released and firefighters will return home. On Tuesday, the Type 1 team will transition management of the Nuttall Fire Complex to the Type 2 team with Incident Commander Kurt Winchester.
Safford, Arizona (July 11, 2004, 11:00 a.m.) With two-thirds of the Nuttall Fire Complex now officially contained and no line left to build, firefighters are now focused on patrolling the area, extinguishing hot spots, and rehabilitating dozer lines, hand lines, and other areas used for suppression operations. “We have met our primary objectives on this incident,” stated Pruett Small, Operations Section Chief, Type I Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
Safford, Arizona (July 11, 2004, 11:00 a.m.)

The New Mexico Type II Incident Management Team will assume command of the Nuttall Fire Complex on Tuesday, July 13 th, at 6:00 PM . The incoming team will reassess when it will be possible to reopen the Swift Trail Road (U.S. Highway 366) and associated developed areas.


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